B82 THE DISEASES AND DISORDEES OF THE OX. 



if he be suflFerinof from any acute inflammatory attack, of course 

 this may be necessary; but the practice of bleeding for the 

 plethoric condition pure and simple is to be condemned from 

 every aspect; moreover, it is very uneconomical, unless indeed 

 it be carried out to a very minute extent for the purpose of 

 fattening the animal. We now turn our consideration to 

 diabetes. 



By the term diabetes we understand a condition characterised 

 by excessive urination. It is generally associated with great 

 weakness, extreme thirst, and rapid emaciation. In cases of 

 ■diabetes mellitus, sugar is found to be present in the urine, 

 whereas in diabetes insipidus, sugar is not present in the urine, 

 and this aff'ection is sometimes designated polyuria. Diabetes 

 insipidus, a disease not by any means uncommon in the ox, is 

 generally caused by some dietetic mismanagement ; the food 

 supply as a rule has been defective or of inferior quality, or, in 

 other instances, from being very badly supplied with food, the 

 animal has suddenly been placed upon a more liberal allowance 

 of nutriment. In the latter instances the assimilative functions 

 become deranged, and diabetes results. It must be empha- 

 tically pointed out that this form of diabetes is not a disease 

 of the kidneys, as it is very frequently supposed to be. 



Of all causes of diabetes mellitus the most common is indiges- 

 tion, and in such cases the malady is, as a rule, more especially 

 amenable to treatment. The disease may also owe its origin to 

 intrinsic or constitutional causes. The urine discharged by a 

 diabetic cow has a sour odour, and it is voided in excessive amount, 

 and the animal becomes very weak and languid, and rapidly loses 

 ■flesh. The appetite is generally voracious, and the animal eats 

 almost anything within reach. The bowels are irregular, and 

 are frequently constipated and filled with wind (tympanites), 

 Some cases of diabetes progress rapidly from bad to worse, others 

 are of a more chronic character. The tongue, as a rule, is furred, 

 and the breath has an unpleasant odour. Even death may result, 

 if the loss of flesh and consequent exhaustion continue. 



The first essential in the treatment of this malady is very 

 careful investigation of the food supply, and even though no 

 fault may be detected, it may be necessary to adopt a different 

 regimen. It is on change of diet that we have chiefly to rely in 

 our treatment of diabetes. In the first place, it will be necessary 



